Pakistan Should Play India, Irrespective of Venue: Wasim Akram
India and Pakistan are expected to play at a neutral venue with Sri Lanka emerging as the venue for the ODI and T20I series
Fast bowling great Wasim Akram says that Pakistan should not mind playing the proposed series in India if the government gives the go ahead for the resumption of cricket ties. (Pakistan Seek Government Clearance on India Series)
The two Asian neighbours are expected to play at a neutral venue with Sri Lanka emerging as the venue for the ODIs and T20s. (Sri Lanka Offer Neutral Venue for India-Pakistan Series)
"It does not matter what the venue is and Pakistan can play in India if our government gives clearance. The main thing is that Indo-Pak cricket series should be resumed," Akram said. (Not Hosting India-Pakistan Series for Monetary Benefits: Sri Lanka Cricket Board Official)
The former Pakistan captain said it was important to move forward in Indo-Pak cricket relations as nearly 10 crore people in both countries follow the contest between arch-rivals. (England to Host India-Pakistan Test Series Next Year?)
"It is important for both countries to play against each other in the larger interest of the game. And there is no doubt that if a series takes place soon it will strengthen the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) financially," Akram told Geo News channel.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given his green signal to the Pakistan Cricket Board to play a bilateral series with India in Sri Lanka, according to media reports. India are also seeking permission from their government to play their arch-rivals in a neutral venue next month.
It also said that the BCCI is similarly also seeking its government's views on these matters and that no request has been received from BCCI regarding the sharing of revenues. The statement said any briefing on any developments will be done by Giles Clarke.
Akram's push for having the series even in India comes at a time when the PCB reacted strongly to the national T20 skipper Shahid Afridi saying in the media that Pakistan could go and play in India if the PCB got good money for the series.
The PCB had sought an explanation from Afridi for his comments on policy matters and cautioned him to be careful in future.
But in Dubai on Wednesday Afridi again fully endorsed any resumption of cricket ties with India, saying wherever and whenever a series is played the show must go on, irrespective of politics.
Many other former Pakistan greats including Javed Miandad have opposed Pakistan touring India for the series.